The village was once known as Ballyconway. An old Irish name for Ballycanew is 'Baile Gan Uaigh' - Town without a grave.^{[citation needed]}

The earliest reference is 1247 when Theodore de Nevel held lands there. In 1821, the population was 1094, but following the great famine it was reduced to 361.^{[citation needed]}

In the past, the Furney family owned a mill, built in 1589 and demolished in 1962. The old creamery was once a thriving industry, with an average of 2.5 million imperial gallons (11,000 m³) of milk supplied per annum.^{[citation needed]}

In June 1965, a Bronze Age grave was discovered in the Ballycanew Parish. This grave yielded a slightly damaged food vessel and broken human bones. The exact date of the burial is uncertain but is probably more than 3,000 years old.^{[citation needed]}

The area is served by a primary school, Saint Enda's National School. There are two churches. St Moling's is part of the Roman Catholic parish of Camolin,^[3] and St. Mogue's is part of Church of Ireland parish of Gorey.^[4] The village has two shops: a Daybreak and a Brooks The village also has two pubs. One for the road and Goslings. It also has three community halls, a fast food place called Sizzles and also has a hairdressers called Tina's. The Ounavarra River passes through the village.

Bus Éireann bus route 879 serves Ballycanew on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays linking it to Gorey.^[5] Route 379 serves Ballycanew on Mondays linking it to Gorey, Kilmuckridge and Wexford.^[6]

The nearest railway station is Gorey railway station on the Rosslare Europort to Dublin line.

• List of towns and villages in Ireland